UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals 1st Leg

Lionel Messi surrounded by  PSG players 

UEFA Champions League
Quarter-Finals 1st Legs
on FootballMania
by editor Wong Yang and assistant editor Bryan Ng

2nd April, 2013

Bayern Munich 2-0 Juventus

Thomas Muller tapping the ball in for Bayern's 2nd goal

Bayern looked set to continue their impressive run of 13 wins in 14 matches. It was also the first game after their 9-2 thrashing of Hamburg in the weekend. The confidence was definitely evident in the first minute, when Austrian David Alaba retrieved the ball about 30 yards from goal and drove a bouncing ball into the net. Gianluigi Buffon could only stumble to his left after the ball past him for he was wrong-footed and the ball was slightly deflected by teammate Arturo Vidal. It was a powerful strike by Alaba to kick off the game. Juventus managed to hold off Bayern and prevented them from scoring more in the first half. In attack, Juve relied on Andrea Pirlo for the creativity, and it was with his set-pieces that they could have equalised, but they were unable to convert. The Italians came out in the second half with an even deeper defensive play. Bayern continued to push forward and Juve were fortunate that Buffon managed to parry a free-kick by Alaba. Still, Buffon's efforts later into the game were in vain, for his knocking-away of the ball fell to the path of Mario Mandzukic. Mandzukic found Muller in the centre, and the German slotted it into the goal for Bayern's second. It was a dominant performance by Bayern, as they hope to close it out when they head to Turin next week.

Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Barcelona

Ibrahimovic with Pedro and Xavi behind

Paris Saint-Germain snatched a 2-2 draw with La Liga leaders Barcelona with a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser by Blaise Matuidi. Lionel Messi had scored the Catalans' first goal in the 38th minute. Messi was then replaced by Cesc Fabregas at the break due to his hamstring injury, which will pose doubts over Barcelona's ability to beat PSG at home. Dani Alves had made an outstanding pass to the Argentinian, and Messi finished it with his left-foot. PSG had started the match with pace and strength, but they could not find the back of the net. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 79th-minute equaliser sparked controversy, for television replays suggested that the former Barca player was offside. Barcelona was awarded a late penalty when PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu brought down Alexis Sanchez in the box.  Xavi calmly sent Sirigu the wrong way to restore Barca's lead, but PSG would not let the Catalans leave the Parc des Princes with a victory, for Ibrahimovic headed the ball down to Matuidi for the final equaliser of the match. It would have been a delight for Barcelona to return to the Camp Nou with an even greater advantage, but it was not to be. Ibrahimovic said after the match, "I think we played a fantastic game....Above all I'm that we kept on fighting. We're happy to have equalised as it would have been much tougher had we lost."

3rd April, 2013

Malaga 0-0 Borussia Dortmund

Caballero making a save

Malaga held Borussia Dortmund to a goalless draw thanks to a decisive performance by the La Liga club's goalkeeper Willy Caballero. Dortmund had a pool of chances to go ahead in the first leg but they made miss after miss, and Caballero made save after save. Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski were at fault for not being able to convert golden opportunities. Malaga had the first chance of the game after Javier Saviola latched onto a pass on the right and cut inside for a shot that went wide. Malaga were quiet from then on, for Dortmund's attacking style continued to exert pressure on the La Liga team. The trio of Gotze, Lewandowski and Marco Reus caused confusion in the Malaga defense. Unfortunately for Dortmund, none of them were able to finish off. Gotze got a low-powered shot off after running clear to receive a Lewandowski header, but Caballero made a one-handed save to stop the attempt. Intricate team player led Reus to two fantastic chances but Caballero saved both of them. Malaga's Weligton was lucky to bring down Lewandowski just on the edge of the box for a free-kick instead of a penalty. Malaga supporters, although now able to heave a brief sigh of relief because of the re-ignition of their Champions League hopes, will have to worry in the second leg because the team will be without captain Weligton and defensive midfielder Manuel Iturra due to suspensions. The duo will most probably be replaced by Nacho Camacho and Diego Lugano.


Real Madrid 3-0 Galatasaray 

A frustrated Wesley Sneijder

Real Madrid thumped Galatasaray 3-0 at home with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain. Madrid made full use of the space given to them by their opponents and distributed the ball neatly to inspire chances. Madrid's first goal was crafted when Xabi Alonso made a  pass to Mezut Ozil, who then played a one-two with Benzema. Ozil sliced a low pass in for Ronaldo to chip it over Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Michael Essien sent a high ball which was received by Benzema in  the box, and the French international kicked the ball in for Madrid's second goal. Sneijder was ineffective in the first half, and was replaced by Gokhan Zan after the break. Benzema was substituted by Higuain 25 minutes from time and put the cherry on the cake  by heading in a free-kick from Alonso. Entry into the semi-finals is somewhat secured for Madrid, who will miss the presence of Alonso and Ramos in the second leg due to yellow cards.